I flicked the lock on the balcony’s doors and crossed to my bed.
“Sacrificed what freedom?” Belle’s tone rose with the question.
“My mother is spellbound to Dralion. She can’t leave. Ever.”
“Why would Wincrest do that when she is from Earth? Argh, Davio is breathing down my neck. Give me a second to pass on what you’ve said.”
Pulling off my jeans, I gritted my teeth, then left my t-shirt on as a makeshift nightie and tucked myself into bed.
Twenty-eight seconds later, she was back.
“You can still move about freely?” Asked in a tightly controlled tone.
“Yes, but I will not be leaving my mother. This place is new for me, as it is for her. Give me a couple of days. We both need to settle in.”
She gasped. “Can you not come now? Even for a few minutes?”
“No.” I hadn’t forgotten that my mate had kidnap on his mind earlier. “I’m sorry, but I have to say goodnight.” As far as I was concerned this conversation was at an end. “Tell Davio to stop pacing and to sleep tight.” Then I closed down the link and for a moment considered blocking it, only I didn’t. It seemed I couldn’t go that far.
* * * *
I stretched as the first rays of dawn warmed my face. Again, I needed to run, my legs throbbing. Throwing back the violet silk bedspread, I opened my eyes to the sight of clothing. Piles and piles of clothing draped across the richly upholstered settee at the end of my bed. What had happened to a few new pieces of clothing? The contents of an entire clothing store lay in heaps before me, not just the odd item.
I crawled down the mattress and sat near the largest pile. Carefully, I pulled new and very expensively labeled pieces across my lap. Wow, these were mine. I slowed my inspection and grinned. Leather jackets and pants and cute cable-knit sweaters were bunched in and around jeans of every color, as well as t-shirts and blouses, skirts and dresses. Enough for all the seasons. I would have to sincerely thank Alexxis. She surely knew what she was about in the shopping department.
“You’re up.” Jilly halted on her tiptoes as she walked out of my dressing room. “Alexxis needed assistance with hanging your clothing, but she had to dash off to do the same for your mother. She too requires a wardrobe now she’s here.”
“Thank you, and pass along my gratitude to Alexxis.” I whipped up onto my feet, searched and found some training clothes within the piles and pulled them free. “I don’t mean to be rude and run, but I have to head to the training room. Excess energy and all.”
“I understand.” She motioned toward the dressing room. “If there’s anything missing, let me know.”
“I will.” I jumped to it, changing and ’porting off to the gym.
I skipped straight to the closest treadmill of which three stood side by side. I turned up the speed and elevated the slope, humming under my breath. Arms pumping—so good.
“Faith.” Mum stood at the entrance to the training room, her gaze wide on me.
“I’m coming.” I jabbed the stop button and hopped off the platform, then caught her up in a hug as she met me halfway. “How’d you know I was here?”
“Alexo gave me a tour. I asked him to leave me alone to speak with you for a few minutes. Get back on the treadmill,” she said as she shooed me toward it. “Your father explained you have to run each morning to deal with your excess energy.”
I scrunched up my face, but did as she bid. “You worry too much.”
“It’s a recreational hazard of being a mother.” She rocked back onto her heels as she eyed the increase in my speed. “That’s really fast, and you can keep that up for two hours?”
“Yes, now tell me how you’re feeling?” My words were a demand. I didn’t wish to wait to hear how she was.
“Well.” She exhaled loudly. “Your father is such a stranger to me, and it’s not easy being in such close proximity to him again.”
“Is there even a little love? You were once mates.”
“No, honey, I don’t love him anymore. How can I when he left me and never thought I was strong enough to handle the slightest of explanations?” She rested one hand on the side bar closest to me. “I pined for him for years. I was lost and lonely, and I vowed never to let another man into my heart who would hurt me in that way again. I’m afraid I can’t ever allow your father back into my heart. Suffering that pain once was enough.”
“Where are you sleeping? ’Cause my bed is big enough to fit ten people in it, in case you want to bunk down with me.” We’d done that often with each other over the years, bunked down together, either her bed or mine.
“I’ve got my own suite of rooms next to Alexo’s, and for obvious reasons, I need to stay there.” She gave my arm a quick squeeze. “What I need is for you to resume your studies. I can see you’ll have to live two lives, one on Earth where you’ll need to complete your education, and one here in Dralion where there’s your future to embrace.”
“Good morning.” Alexo strode into the room, the large double doors swishing shut behind him. “I’ve spoken to Donaldo. He’s aware of your upcoming exams, of your need to return to school. You may return as soon as you’re ready, Faith.”
“Hey, Dad. Where is he now?” I kept moving on the belt, not once breaking my stride.
“He’s in a meeting.” He lowered his voice. “Yours are unusual circumstances. You have lived on Earth your entire life, unlike any other Wincrest before you. Donaldo will need to see you accept your heritage and your country here as well, but I’m sure you can do both with ease.”
“Of course I can.” I’d try my hardest for certain.
Dad caught Mum’s hand and settled it into the crook of his elbow. “And you need to adopt Dralion too. So let’s finish your tour.”
Flashing away, they left in a blink, and I picked up my speed.
Oh, my father was in trouble because I knew my mother hadn’t finished talking to me. I laughed as I imagined him getting an earful, one that was usually reserved for me.
As my giggles subsided, I centered my mind.
It was probably best I not think about Silvie, who’d surely be dressing for school about now, or Belle who hadn’t as yet contacted me this morning, and certainly not Davio, in case I felt the need to go to him. Nope, I would not use my forethought on them this morning, not when it was Donaldo who intrigued me the most right now.
I focused on him and his image shimmered into my mind. He sat on a golden-threaded regal chair at the top end of an elevated stage within a meeting hall. Men, women and children of all ages lined the outside perimeter of the public room, some standing and some sitting on wooden benches.
Donaldo’s personal guards stood evenly spaced out in a half circle behind him. A man dressed in dark cotton pants and a clean shirt approached from amongst the people. The newcomer asked a question and Donaldo answered. He offered advice to the man and then asked for the next person to come forward.
I stayed with him, intent on the discussions at hand, those between him and his people as he oversaw issues that had arisen within his land.
Time passed.
Two hours later the door thumped open, and I jumped, my vision dissolving.
In single file, six men and two warrior women entered the room. The man at the front of the pack was colossal in size, with oily black hair hanging down over his shoulders, a vest of gray leather flapping open across his chest. Fire-breathing dragon tattoos curled one over the other on his muscular chest and arms. Sharp silver spikes were pressed into every inch of his leather belt which held a roughened metal mallet dangling from one side.
I gulped. Oh no, this could not be good.
His dark brows drew together. “My name is Killian. To my right is Abelard, next is Frey, then, Hiram, Laidley and Nicolas. The warrior women to my left are Xrnina and Leoda.” Blunt and to the point.
I glanced at the women. They looked scary. One had half her head shaved on either side, giving her a mohawk of bright red. A piece of coiled sil
ver pierced one nostril and round silver hoops looped through both her eyebrows. Tight leathers showed off a toned and strong body.
“Nice to meet you.” I rubbed my chin, although kept my hands to myself.
The second woman cleared her throat. Little less than a strip of black leather contained her breasts and black leather pants hugged her hips. The exposed skin from her waist up was painted in a dark camouflaging mud, and she held a bloodied dagger in one hand. “Welcome, Princess.” A firm nod of her head.
I tensed, jabbed the treadmill’s stop button and halted. “Thank you for the welcome.”
The man beside Killian stepped forward, the one named Abelard. “We are the leading eight of the warriors and should you have any need of our services then our king has stipulated you ask.” Brown scraggly hair fell forward to cover one half of his face, and he had a singular spiked piercing in one ear. Biceps bulging, his fists balled around not one, but two bloodied swords.
I cleared my throat and found my voice once more. “I appreciate the introduction.”
One by one, they snapped a severe bow, then promptly left the exact way they’d come.
I shivered. That was intimidating.
“Faith.” My father speaking in my head. “I see the leading eight visited. Do not worry about them. You only ever have to call on me, and I will come. Donaldo’s intention would be to ensure they knew you held a strong position, which is why he asked them to introduce themselves to you. It is his way.”
“You could have told me that was going to happen.” I teleported back to my room and sat on the end of my bed and unlaced my sneakers.
“I could have, but you need to stand strong on your own two feet now, particularly when your rising is so close.”
“Ah, what’s a rising?” I seemed to recall Belle using that word at one time.
“A rising occurs around a month following a Magioling’s eighteenth. It signifies the conclusion of your skills coming in.”
“Can you give me more?”
“Of course. As this rising is reached, you’ll feel an overpowering assault on all your senses. The adrenaline pumping through your body causes an all-time high and your moods will swing. Also, when your rising begins, you’ll need those closest to you to aid you in draining the excess energy. I’m speaking of your strength levels rising, to three times the strength they currently are.”
I couldn’t imagine that. “I’ll have three-times my normal strength and my hormones will be raging? Is that what you’re saying will happen during this rising?”
“Yes, but thankfully a rising only occurs once. Still, you’ll have to take care not to hurt anyone as you go through your rising. Allow others to aid you, because it will take two or more people to match your strength and the moods that link it.”
“Why am I only hearing about this rising now?”
“You are new to Magio. There is much you don’t have the knowledge of, but all will be known in time. I’ll teach you all you need to know.”
“Thank you, and while we’re chatting, is there anything else you’d like to enlighten me about?” So many new surprises likely awaited me.
“As I said, prepare for a difficult few days.”
“Lately I’ve been inundated with difficult days. I can handle a few more.”
“If you’d like to go and visit Loveria, take the time now while you can.”
“No. I’m not leaving Mum. Not this soon. Thanks for the offer though.” I cut the link, rolled my shoulders. Mum was here and now bound to Dralion for no other reason, other than me. She needed my support, and I intended on giving it to her.
I lobbed my training clothes into the bathroom’s hamper and showered. I could handle a rising, just like I could handle having Davio for a mate.
Chapter 12
I could not handle a rising.
Two shaky days passed, days where my emotions spiked, the levels going up and down and all over the place, but still my rising had not yet come to pass. I also had school to consider. I really couldn’t afford to take any more time off, or else I’d get too far behind.
“Oh, look, miladies,” Jilly said, one hand flat on the sitting room windowsill as she gazed outside.
Mum rose from the imperial corner chair and joined Jilly at the window. “What is it?”
Jilly pointed to the west. “King Donaldo and Prince Alexo are about to ride. Have you been to the stables yet?”
In two short days, I’d become reliant on Jilly’s presence. She cared for us in a way I couldn’t have done without. Not only was she the head of this wing, but quickly becoming a friend, particularly to Mum. The two were the same age and got along famously.
“No, but I’ve always loved horses.” Mum smiled. “When I was a child, the local stables sponsored four of us from the orphanage for a season. I was only thirteen, but I was fortunate enough to have riding lessons for two weeks.” Her smile grew.
“Where are they going?” I asked as I moved in beside Mum.
Jilly glanced at me. “The four-day tribal summit which is being held half a day’s journey from here. King Donaldo is going, and Prince Alexo is traveling as far as the village of Herring. He’ll be back in a couple of hours.” Her brow quirked. “It was mentioned yesterday.”
“I remember now.” I rubbed my head at the familiar ache as it began, the one which meant I needed Davio and to cement our merge. It seemed I couldn’t go three days without needed to fuse my mind with his.
“Why don’t they simply, you know”—Kate clicked her fingers—“do that flashing thing they do instead of traveling by horseback?”
I listened as Jilly explained how Donaldo preferred riding on horseback at times. How he liked to travel through the villages and see the countryside.
“Faith? You there?”
“Hey, Belle. I’m coming soon.” I’d told her I would return to school today, especially in light of my mother’s settling in. “Where’s Davio?”
“The training hall. He’s venting his frustrations on Silas again. How far away is soon?”
“Not long.”
I crossed the room to the ornate coffee table, collected my textbook and scooped up my sandals from the floor. “Mum, it’s almost nine, and I’m supposed to be at school.”
She eyed the book in my hands. “Yes, you should go.” She turned to Jilly. “You’ll stay with me?”
“Yes, and I’ll ask a stable hand to saddle two of the smaller mares. We’ll take them for a ride. There’s a beautiful path right along the edge of the forest.”
I hugged Jilly who jumped. “Mum will love that. What a great idea.”
She patted my back. “Um, certainly.”
Stepping back, I grinned at her blush as I gave Mum a hug. “You two have a fabulous day.”
Bless Jilly—I officially loved her.
Summoning the image of the dome room, I flashed through it to the training hall, of which I’d already locked down the image from when Silas had taken Davio there the other day.
I arrived in the blink of an eye, curled my toes into the cold slate flooring and lugged in a breath of air tainted with the clear scent of sweat. All around me, men battled in pairs, their swords clashing and steel ringing loud.
I fell back a step, hit the brick wall at my back and scraped my shoulders.
In all the times I’d watched Davio in this room over the past two days, I’d never once seen it filled with protectors in this way. I’d presumed only Davio and his nearest used the space located in his grandfather’s castle.
So where was he?
I reached out with my mind and searched for him. The connection always came with ease when he was close, only he wasn’t here amongst these men. Not as Belle had said.
“Do. Not. Move.” One of the men pressed a very sharp blade to my neck, the prick drawing blood, which meant he was in trouble should Davio learn about this. “Now, who exactly have we got here, boys? Looks like a pretty blonde who’s not where she’s supposed to be,” the man gloated as
he moved directly in front of me, his sword scraping around to the front, a bitter slant to his lips and his chest bared and drenched in a river of sweat. “Only protectors are permitted within the castle’s indoor training hall and you are not one of us.”
Another man swept in beside the first, poked his blade into my arm, his eyes all gleaming and bright. “Drop what’s in your hands.”
Gah, why hadn’t I considered the possibility of this? If only my forewarning worked on me.
I opened my fingers, and my textbook and sandals fell to the floor with a thump. I raised a brow, my overly aggressive emotions once again rising due to the other “rising” I still awaited. “Huh, now that’s handy them being on the ground where I’ll just have to pick them back up again.”
He snorted. “We have a smart aleck, eh?”
“I’ll admit to being a touch moody lately. A girl has to go through her rising and all—apparently.” I clenched my fists and glared at the giant before me. Black hair was plastered wet to his scalp, his neck almost as thick as his head, and his shoulders were so wide he could easily carry a full grown man over each side. So enormous, and I should probably keep my mouth shut. “If you don’t mind, I’m after Davio Loveria.”
“No,” said the first one, narrowing his gaze and holding me firm. “The fine for teleporters sneaking into the castle is a week in the cesspit. The cesspit is not a pretty place. I’m Derick, and the one with the other blade is Warrick. He’ll be taking you to the cesspit for your upcoming stay.”
“He’s right.” Warrick twisted me around in a move so fast and jarring, everything blackened. “Anyone who turns up unexpectedly like you have, would know that this is not the way to gain an audience with our prince.”
In a flash, we were gone.
He released me, the first drag of air I pulled into my lungs so rotten my stomach heaved. So dark. Only a wall-mounted lantern cast a small glow down the passageway of gray bricks on each side. Warrick shoved me from behind. “Now, along a little farther are our steel lined cells for those lovelies like yourself, who can clearly teleport to wherever they wish.”
Protector: A Young Adult / New Adult Fantasy Novel Page 21
